The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates February 22, 2017

Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) take part during a battle with Islamic State militants, west of Mosul,Iraq February 22, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer

FOX News: US troops have come 'under fire' in and around Mosul, official says

U.S. troops have come "under fire" and have "returned fire" in and around Mosul as allied forces try to retake the city from ISIS, a U.S. military spokesperson said on Wednesday.

“When someone is shooting at you, that is combat,” said Col. John Dorrian, the Baghdad-based spokesman, to Pentagon reporters.

While Dorrian said U.S. troops are operating “very close” to the front lines, he also added they do their best to avoid it, although circumstances can change where exactly the front lines are.

The news comes days after the U.S. commander of American and allied forces in Iraq and Syria told Fox News' Jennifer Griffin and other traveling press in Baghdad that U.S. troops were operating closer than ever to the front lines.

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The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates February 22, 2017

US advisers engaged ‘closer & deeper’ with Iraqi forces’ operation to retake western Mosul -- RT
Iraqi Shiite Militias Push to Take Villages West of Mosul -- AP
Iraqi forces moving toward Mosul Airport after taking strategic hill -- UPI
Iraq, US bomb airport as Mosul advance continues -- Middle East Monitor
Iraqi forces advance to retake western Mosul from IS -- DW
Iraqi Troops Close In on Mosul’s Southern Border -- VOA
Mosul offensive: Iraqi army seizes key town of Abu Saif -- BBC
Islamic State fires cluster bombs at Iraqi government forces -- L.A. Times
Australian bombers and medics playing key role in the battle for Mosul -- Sydney Morning Herald
Civilians start fleeing homes after west Mosul offensive begins -- Reuters
750,000 people trapped in Mosul are 'on brink of starvation' as Iraqi forces advance -- The Telegraph
UNHCR readies for fresh Mosul exodus as battle moves west -- UNHCR